Serge Atlaoui, a 43-year-old Frenchman, imprisoned in Jakarta, Indonesia for drug trafficking.
Friends Manuel and Sabine are deeply affected by his situation, expressing anguish and helplessness over the last two years.
Background
Serge grew up in a modest family in Lorraine, France.
Worked as a welder and faced financial difficulties, leading him to seek better-paying jobs.
In 2005, a Dutch friend offered him a job in Indonesia, promising €4000 for assembling machines in a factory.
Circumstances Leading to Arrest
Upon accepting the job, Serge was unaware of the factory's true nature.
The factory was actually a front for a clandestine drug lab producing ecstasy (MDMA).
Police raided the factory on November 11, 2005, leading to multiple arrests, including Serge.
Legal Proceedings
In November 2006, Serge was sentenced to life imprisonment.
This sentence was later escalated to the death penalty on May 29, during a Supreme Court hearing.
Authorities indicated that Serge was heavily implicated in the drug operation and posed a risk of sharing expertise with Indonesian traffickers.
Personal Impact and Support
Serge has a partner named Sabine and three children.
A French woman, Hélène, who has experience with the Indonesian prison system, began supporting Serge after hearing about his case.
Serge and Sabine married in January 2015 within the prison, a significant but fleeting moment of happiness.
Current Situation
Indonesian justice system is strict against drug trafficking, viewing the death penalty as a deterrent.
There is speculation about the fairness of Serge’s trial and sentence; he insists his involvement was minimal and that he was unaware of the drug activities.
Final Remarks
Execution is pending a presidential pardon; Indonesia has executed 40 people on death row since 1980.
The execution would be carried out by a firing squad, with only one shooter using live ammunition.
The couple's friend Manuel believes Serge was naïve and didn’t fully understand the risks of his situation.